French gymnasts had been the victors at the first International Tournaments in 1903 and 1905, but the Czech Sokols ended that streak in 1907 when they hosted the International Tournament in Prague.
A rivalry was forming between the two top teams in Europe: the Czech Sokols and the French. However, the Czech media subtly questioned how European the rivalry was, given that France’s best gymnasts were from Algeria. (The International Tournament was a competition run by the Bureau of European Gymnastics Federations.)
Regardless, the French Algerian gymnasts stole the show in Luxembourg in 1909. In fact, one of them registered two perfect event totals, scoring the maximum number of points for both the compulsory and optional routines on not just one but two events.
Note: French Algerian gymnasts had competed in previous International Tournaments. However, the gymnasts’ place of origin hadn’t been a major topic in the media coverage prior to 1909. The topics of empire and Eurocentrism are far too thorny to broach in a competition recap.
Members included: Karel Fuks, Fran Perdan, Vinko Pristov, Vinko Rabič, Anton Thaler, Stanko Vidmar. Team leader: Dr. Viktor Murnik
Photo: Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Quick Links: The Events | Compulsory Routines | Results | The Perfect Scores | Meet Commentary | Appendix: Scoring for the Athletics Events
Which events?
On August 1, 1909, the Fourth International Tournament took place, and the gymnasts competed in the following events:
Ensemble:
- 5 sets of compulsory floor routines (without portable hand devices)
Compulsory Routines:
- Rings
- Parallel Bars
- Horizontal Bar
Optional Routines:
- Rings
- Parallel Bars
- Horizontal Bar
Track and Field:
- 100m
- 15 points: 11 seconds
- 1 point: 16 seconds
- Combined long and high jump
- 15 points: Rope: 1.10 m high; Board: 2m from the rope
Other:
- Rope climb
- 15 points: 10 m
- 1 point: 2 m
- Note: Using only their arms, the gymnasts had to climb up the rope 5 meters, climb down the rope (no sliding), and then climb back up the rope another 5 m.
The Czech Sokols thought that the combined long and high jump was too easy. Rightfully so, given that 5 of the 6 teams received a perfect 90 on the jump.
In the jump, ours could not show their superiority, because it was ridiculously low — [110] cm height at a distance of 2 m.
Sokol, 1909, 8-9
Na skoku nemohli naši ukázati svou převahu, ježto byl směšně nízko stanoven — [110] cm. výše při 2 m. dálky.
Note: The original Czech lists the height at 120 cm, which is incorrect.
To learn more about the scoring for the athletics events, jump to the bottom of the page.
A Note on the Compulsory Routines
In his summary of the World Championships, Pierre Hentgès, Sr. described the compulsories in this way:
On the parallel bars, a combination of swing and strength with 6 holds: L-sit (two), shoulder support, transverse handstand (two), lateral handstand on a bar with straddle dismount.
Swing was predominant on high bar. Three stops, the first of which was at the start: after several giant swings forward and backward, hip circle to lower to front lever. There was still a back lever. Dismount: from leg support to L-sit, lower at the back to pass under the bar, kip and straddle dismount executed high above the bar.
The rings, eliminated during the last two tournaments, replaced the horse. Apparatus without swinging. Rings of round or triangular shape at the choice of the gymnast. Elements of strength predominate with 6 stops: in handstand, in iron cross, in L-sit, in front and back levers, and inverted hang.
Optional exercises. They adapted like the compulsory routines. On the rings, it was recommended: “not to do flying rings, in order to prevent the events from dragging on.”
Source: Olympische Turnkunst, 1967, June, Number 3
Aux barres parallèles, combinaison d’élan et de force avec 6 arrêts: appui à l’équerre (deux), appui d’épaules, appui renversé transversal (deux), appui renversé latéral sur une barre avec sortie écartée.
L’élan predominait à la barre fixe. Trois arrêts dont le premier fut au début: après plusieurs grands tours en avant et en arrière, tour d’appui en arrière pour abaisser à la suspension horizontale faciale. Il y eut encore une planche fouettée dorsale en suspension. Sortie: de l’appui jambes à l’equerre, abaisser à l’arrière pur passer sous la barre, bascule faciale et sortie écartée exécutée bien haut par-dessus la barre.
Les anneaux, éliminés lors des deux derniers tournois, remplaçaient le cheval. Engins sans balancement. Anneaux de forme ronde ou traingulaires au choix du gymnaste. Les élements de force prédominant avec 6 arrêts: à l’appui renversé, à l’appui écarté (croix), à l’appui en équerre, à la suspension horizontale faciale et dorsale et à la suspension renversée.
Exercices à volongé. Ils s’adaptaient en genre des imposés. Aux anneaux il fut recommandé «de ne pas faire des exercices en balançant, afin d’éviter que les épreuves ne tirent en longueur».
Note #1: Gymnasts had the option of circular or triangular rings.
Note #2: For flying rings, the rings had to be constantly adjusted according to the gymnast’s height. That took time. Hence the comments about the events dragging on.
Note #3: In 1905, the question of flying or still rings almost stopped the International Tournament before it began.
Team Results
| Prelim. Exercises | Rings | Parallel Bars | High Bar | Jump | Rope | 100 m | Total | |
| 1. France | 288.75 | 135.00 | 144.00 | 139.75 | 90.00 | 83.00 | 69.00 | 949.50 |
| 2. Czech Sokols | 290.00 | 135.00 | 135.75 | 135.75 | 90.00 | 82.00 | 70.50 | 940.50 |
| 3. Italy | 288.50 | 140.75 | 130.50 | 123.50 | 90.00 | 82.00 | 71.00 | 926.25 |
| 4. Belgium | 284.25 | 121.25 | 126.50 | 124.00 | 90.00 | 77.00 | 67.00 | 890.00 |
| 5. Slovenian Sokols | 283.75 | 105.75 | 126.50 | 128.00 | 85.00 | 70.00 | 54.00 | 851.50 |
| 6. Luxembourg | 267.00 | 107.50 | 108.50 | 120.00 | 90.00 | 55.00 | 72.00 | 820.00 |
So, if you’re keeping track of the results of the pre-WWI International Tournaments…
| 1903 | 1905 | 1907 | 1909 | |
| 1st | France | France | Czech Sokols | France |
| 2nd | Belgium | Netherlands | France | Czech Sokols |
| 3rd | Luxembourg | Belgium | Belgium | Italy |
| 4th | Netherlands | Luxembourg | Luxembourg | Belgium |
| 5th | Slovenian Sokols | Slovenian Sokols | ||
| 6th | Hungary | Luxembourg |
Note: The Czech team’s second-place finish lived on in the Sokol community’s memory. When the International Tournament returned to Luxembourg in 1930, the Czechoslovak team finished first, and the Czech Sokol publication remarked:
Luxembourg in 1909 is atoned for.
Sokol, 1930, 7-8
Je odčiněn i Luxemburk z r. 1909.
Individual Results
This was only a team competition. There weren’t official individual winners. Had there been an individual competition, these would have been the results.
All-Around
1. Torrès, France, 163.25
2. Čada, Czech, 159.50
3. Coidelle, France, 158.75
4. Capitani, Italy, 158.25
5T. Romano, Italy, 157.75
5T. Ségura, France, 157.75
Parallel Bars
1. Martinez, France, 24.00
2T. Castille, France, 23.75
2T. Čada, Czech, 23.75
2T. Torrès, France, 23.75
5. Coidelle, France, 23.50
High Bar
1. Martinez, France, 24.00
2T. Čada, Czech, 23.75
2T. Erben, Czech, 23.75
2T. Fuks, Slovenian, 23.75
5. Torrès, France, 23.50
Rings
1T. Romano, Italy, 23.75
1T. Torrès, Italy, 23.75
3T. Erben, Czech, 23.25
3T. Manzoncini, Italy, 23.25
3T. Zampori, Italy, 23.25
Source: Olympische Turnkunst, March 1967
The Perfect Scores
At the time, the routines were scored out of 10, with an additional point for the mount and another point for the dismount. So, a perfect score was a 12.
Based on the scores above, we can surmise that the following gymnasts received perfect scores on the optionals and compulsory routines:
- Martinez, France, Compulsory Parallel Bars
- Martinez, France, Optionals Parallel Bars
- Martinez, France, Compulsory High Bar
- Martinez, France, Optionals High Bar
To receive a 23.75 meant that the gymnast received a perfect 12 on one routine and an 11.75 on another routine. (Without the score sheets, it’s impossible to know whether the perfect routine was on compulsories or optionals.)
The following gymnasts scored a 23.75 on one apparatus:
- Castille, France, Parallel Bars
- Čada, Czech, Parallel Bars
- Čada, Czech, High Bar
- Erben, Czech, High Bar
- Fuks, Slovenian, High Bar
- Romano, Italy, Rings
- Torrès, France, Parallel Bars
- Torrès, France, Rings
Meet Commentary
The French Algerian Team
By all accounts, the French Algerian gymnasts were a cut above the rest. Here’s what the Luxembourg newspaper Luxemburger Wort wrote:
The French had sent a selection of gymnasts to the 4th Tournament, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with them. The peculiar appearance of the first Algerian, Torrès, did not really please, but more so his work. Martinez (Algiers), the old champion, still has the same tenacious endurance in gymnastics and works with an elegance unparalleled. The other model gymnasts also worked, and it is a pleasure to watch. In no case should we forget about the young Algerian Segnora, who deserves a special award? Barely 16 years old, they wanted to disqualify him 2 years ago in Prague, because he should not have the regulatory age. Already in Prague, he aroused the admiration of all gymnasts. He had prepared himself even better for Luxemburg and carried out his work with a smoothness, with a precision bordering on the fabulous. He, like all his section friends, does not touch the apparatuses in the least and acts as if this was all ease for him. He gets the most applause for his work and will probably have the highest number of points. In any case, for me, he is the best gymnast on the field.
Luxemburger Wort, August 1, 1909
Die Franzosen hatten nämlich zum 4. Turnier eine Auswahl Turner gesandt, an denen nichts, aber auch rein gar nichts auszusetzen war. Der eigenartige Aufmarsch des ersten Algeriers, Torrès, gefiel zwar nicht außerordentlich, aber desto mehr seine Arbeit. Martinez (Algier), der alte Champion, hat noch immer dieselbe zähe Ausdauer im Turnen und arbeitet mit einer Eleganz sondergleichen. Auch die übrigen Musterturner arbeiteten, daß es eine Lust ist, zuzusehen. Auf keinen Fall dürfen wir des jungen Algeriers Segnora vergessen, der eigentlich eine besondere Auszeichnung verdient. Kaum 16 Jahre alt, wollte man ihn vor 2 Jahren in Prag disqualifizieren, weil er das reglementsmäßige Alter nicht haben sollte. Schon in Prag erregte er die Bewunderung aller Turner. Er hatte sich für Luxemburg noch besser vorbereitet und führte seine Arbeit mit einer Geschmeidigkeit, mit einer Präzision aus, die ans Fabelhafte grenzt. Er touchiert, wie auch alle seine Sektionsfreunde, nicht im mindesten die Geräte und tut, als ob das für ihn alles eine Leichtigkeit wäre. Er erntet für seine Arbeiten am meisten Beifall und wird auch wohl die größte Punktezahl erreicht haben. Jedenfalls ist er für mich der beste Turner des Feldes.
Note: The rules for the 1907 International Tournament specified that gymnasts had to be 18 years of age. The Luxemburger Wort was most likely referring to Louis Ségura — not Segnora — who would have been 17 at the time of the competition.
The Slovenians also marveled at the French gymnasts:
Here we were immediately enchanted by a number of French competitors. The lightness and assuredness were wonderful, the indescribable elegance of their performances. Among the experts, the verdict was unanimous: such ranks have never been seen in Europe. It was something fabulous; […] The hardest movement, the hardest position just as perfect, just as easy as lying; […] You might say: the perfection of the Czechs was perfect, the perfection of the French was fabulous!
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Tu nas je takoj kar očarala vrsta francoskih tekmecev. Čudovita je bila lahkota in sigurnost, nepopisna eleganca njih izvedb. Med strokovnjaki je bila o njih sodba soglasna: take vrste še ni videla Evropa I Lahka kakor peresa so švigala ta telesa na orodju, zaustavljajoč se v prekrasnih držah nad njim in pod njim; […] Kakor bi hoteli pokazati, da ni samo težkost, ki daje vaji vrhunški značaj, marveč da more. izvedba dvigniti tudi lažjd vajo med vrhunške. […] Morda bi rekli: dovršenost Čehov je bila popolna, dovršenost Francozov bajna!
Even though the Czech team finished second to the French team, its publication even agreed that the French gymnasts were extraordinary.
The French team, which consisted of the best French competitors, stood out above all teams. There was one voice in professional circles that such a team was not put together in Europe before. Their performance of the exercises was so ideally perfect, confident, and graceful — that they suddenly won the recognition and sympathy of all the spectators and competitors who accompanied them to the end. They found taste and style in optional routines, the sets were not long, not even circus-like difficult, as they are sometimes talked about, but strong, tasteful, and ideally perfectly executed.
We were enchanted by them. Their discipline and modest performance. They stood out the most on parallel bars, high bar, rings, and the preliminary ensemble routines. The team consisted of older, trained competitors, of whom 34-year-old Martinez (Sidi Bel Abbés — Algeria) was the most ideal competitor we have ever known.
The young Ségura, Torrès, Coidrelle, Castiglioni and Castille ranked with him with dignity. Four were from Algeria, where the French have the best competitors. The French competitors were characterized by above-average figures, sinewy, almost fat-free, with light and firm legs and very strong shoulders. They won first place with ease.
Sokol, 1909, 8-9
Nade všecka družstva vynikalo družstvo francouzské, které sestávalo z nejlepších borců francouzských. V odborných kruzích byl jeden hlas, že takové družstvo nebylo ještě v Evropě pohromadě. Jejich provádění cviků bylo tak ideálně bezvadné, jisté a ladné — že rázem dobyli si uznání a sympathie všech diváků i závodníků, které je provázeli až do skončení. Ve volných sestavách objevili vkus, sestavy neměli dlouhé, ani cirkusovsky nesnadné, jak se někdy o nich rádo mluvívá, nýbrž výrazné, vkusné, a ideálně dokonale provedené.
Byli jsme jimi okouzlení. Jejich zkázněností a skromným vystoupením. Nejvíce vynikli na bradlech, hrazdě, kruzích a prostných. Družstvo sestávalo z borců starších, vyškolených, z nichž 34letý Martinez (Sidi Bel Abbés — Alžír) byl nejideálnějším borcem, kterého jsme kdy poznali.
Jemu důstojně řadil se mladistvý Segura, Torrěs, Coidrelle, Castiglioni a Castille. Čtyři byli z Alžíru, kde mají Francouzi nejlepší borce. Francouzští borci vyznačovali se nadprostředními postavami, šlachovití, takřka bez tuku, s lehkýma a pevnýma nohama a velice silnými rameny. Dobyli po zásluze místa prvého.
But the Czech media also made sure to note that they didn’t view the French team as a strictly European team. Nevertheless, the French Algerians brought something beautiful to the sport.
Our Czech team succumbed, but succumbed honestly, to a truly better competitor, with qualities that we would not find in any European team. With this competition, the French brought something beautiful into the gymnastic sport, uplifting in the performance of exercises and behavior. — The French were once again a bright example to us.
Sokol, 1909, Numbers 8-9
Naše družstvo české podlehlo, ale podlehlo čestně, soku skutečně lepšímu, s vlastnostmi, které bychom nenašli u žádného družstva evropského. Francouzové tímto závodem vnesli do tělocviku skutečně něco krásného, povznášejícího v provedení cviků i chování se. — Francouzi tentokráte zas byli našimi učiteli.
The Small but Mighty Federations
Luxembourg pointed out that their country is smaller, which meant they had fewer gymnasts to choose from.
The Luxembourg Gymnastics Federation has no reason to complain about this result. The Luxemburgers were selected from about 600-700 gymnasts, while the other countries could choose from thousands of the best gymnasts. If we learn from the result where there were some gaps, then the tournament was not inconclusive. Such a small country is always at a disadvantage when entering the arena against large countries.
Luxemburger Bürger-Zeitung, August 2, 1909
Der luxemburgische Turnverband hat keine Ursache, sich über dies Resultat zu beklagen. Die Luxemburger waren von zirka 600-700 Turnern ausgewählt, während die anderen Ländern ihre Wahl unterr Tausenden der besten Turner treffen konnten. Wenn wir bei dem Resultat lernen, wo nach manches fehlt, so ist das Turnier nicht ergebnislos gewesen. Ein so kleines Ländchen befindet sich, wenn es gegen große Länder in die Arena tritt, immer im Nachteil.
The publication of the Slovenian Sokols made similar comments, noting how they didn’t have the financial means to have joint training camps.
[O]ur financial situation does not allow for longer joint training and for the competitors to devote themselves to training for a longer period of time.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
[G]motne razmere naše ne dovoljujejo daljšega skupnega vežbanja ter da bi se tekmovalci daljši čas popolnoma posvetili vadbi.
But despite their size, the Slovenian Sokols were blossoming.
In addition to the generally larger number, the number of gymnasts who are approaching the peaks of gymnastics or are already reaching them is also increasing. Until recently, the weak trunk of the Slovenian Sokols has been strengthening and expanding, sprouting “budding” flowers, and ripening beautiful fruits.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Ob splošno večjem številu nam tako narašča tudi število telovadcev, ki se bližajo vrhuncem telovadbe ali jih že dosegajo. Še nedavno šibko deblo slovenskega Sokolstva se jači in širi, poganja nadebudne cvetove, dozoreva krasne sadove.
They were making a name for themselves.
If a small organization can assemble a team that does not lag far behind those of large organizations, it is already honored, it gains or consolidates and enhances its reputation […]
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Ako more majhna organizacija sestaviti vrsto, ki ne zaostane preveč za onimi velikih organizacij, ji je že to v čast, ji že to pridobi ali utrdi in zviša ugled […]
Not just a name for themselves as gymnasts but as a nation.
We honorably took the Slovenian name to foreign soil. We have solidified the reputation of the Slovenian Sokols in gymnastics organizations of other nations, gained respect for the Slovene nation among foreigners, who may not have known it by name or, if they knew it, associated it with the notion of a small, uncultured, “barbaric,” “less valuable” tribe.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Ponesli smo s častjo slovensko ime na inozemska tla. Utrdili smo ugled slov. Sokolstva pri telovadnih organizacijah drugih narodov, pridobili spoštovanje slovenskemu narodu med tujci, ki ga morda doslej niti po imenu niso poznali ali, če so ga poznali, ga družili s pojmom majhnega, nekulturnega, „ barbarskega”, „manj vrednega” plemena.
Stylistic Challenges with the Preliminary Calisthenics
There wasn’t a Code of Points at the time, and every nation had its own way of doing gymnastics. The French text was considered the final word on all compulsory routines, but the francocentric nature of the competition didn’t end there. The French style was the style to emulate.
We were especially concerned about ensemble exercises, where so much could be gained as well as so much could be lost. We were of the opinion that in the match the strictest care will be taken to ensure that the exercises are carried out exactly according to the French regulations, and that the French will therefore be decisive in how the regulations are mastered. We were very careful to learn about the French method of implementation.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Zlasti nas je bila skrb za proste vaje, kjer se je dalo toliko dobiti, pa tudi toliko izgubiti. Mnenja smo bili, da se bo pri tekmi najstrože pazilo na to, da se vaje izvajajo natančno po francoskem predpisu, Francozi da bodo potemtakem tudi odločilni za to, kako je predpis umeti. Sila skrbni smo bili zategadelj, da glede vseh dvoinnih primerov izvemo za francoski način izvedbe.
Many of the teams presented their preliminary exercises to the judges before the competition.
We were lucky with the fraternal help of the Czechs and Luxembourgers, but for the sake of certainty, some things were presented to the jury on Sunday before the competition. Supposedly, other teams did the same as us.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Posrečilo se nam je to z bratsko pomočjo Čehov in Luksemburžanov, vendar pa je radi gotovosti nekatere stvari brat Vaniček v nedeljo pred tekmo predložil sodniškemu zboru v pojasnilo. Menda pa je šlo drugim vrstam enako kakor nam.
The judges standardized the method, but they decided that they would allow for differences in performances as long as the team was doing the same thing.
[T]he panel of judges decided the method, but at the same time decided that certain differences in performance will not be taken into account, if only the performance is the same for all the ranks.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
[S]odniški zbor je sicer odločil način, obenem pa sklenil, da se na gotove razlike v izvedbi ne bo oziralo, če je le izvedba pri celi vrsti enaka.
The Slovenians had to learn to use their hands.
In our country, preliminary ensemble exercises have so far been performed with clenched fists, but here they had to be done with outstretched fingers, which is much more difficult. While with clenched fists you need almost no attention to the fist, a lot of attention and practice is needed before you keep your fingers nicely stretched in a perfectly straight line with your palm and lightness during the performance.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Pri nas so se proste vaje doslej izvajale s stisnjenimi pestmi, tu pa jih je bilo treba delati z iztegnjenimi prsti, kar je mnogo težje. Dočim ob stisnjenih pesteh ni treba skoro nobene pažnje na pest, je treba mnogo pozornosti in vadbe, predno držiš prste med izvedbo ves čas lepo iztegnjene v popolnoma ravni črti z dlanjo in lehtjo.
Why did any of this matter? The preliminary scores were worth almost ⅓ of a team’s final score.
The preliminary exercises are very important for overall success, as it is possible to get almost a third of the points scored in the competition (1010).
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Proste vaje so za splošni uspeh jako važne, saj je zanje mogoče dobiti skoraj tretjino pri tekmi sploh dosegjivih točk (1010).
Despite the challenges, the Slovenians succeeded.
It goes exquisitely, freshly, boldly, harmoniously, as if performed by one alone. A loud applause is heard when the last movement is made. And so on the second, third, fourth, fifth section. After each round of applause. It is a joy and satisfaction to read to the contestants from the faces as they leave the striding steps. The Czech brothers congratulate us. Congratulations from other parties as well. When we completed the exercises, Mr. Eugene Sully, an official representative of the English National Physical Education Society, London, approached the Slovenian delegates and sincerely congratulated them on the excellent performance of the series and especially on the physical constitution of our people, which he put in first place.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Gre izvrstno, sveže, krepko, skladno, kakor bi izvajal en sam. Krepko ploskanje se oglasi, ko je izveden zadnji gib. In tako dalje drugi, tretji, četrti, peti oddelek. Po vsakem aplavz. Veselje in zadovoljnost je brati tekmovalcem z obrazov, ko odhajajo strumnih korakov. Bratje Čehi nam čestitajo. Tudi od drugih strani se nam izražajo čestitke. Zlasti ugaja vrsta oficijalnemu zastopniku angleške zveze „ National Physical Recreation Society, London”, Mr. Eugene Sullyju, ki je takoj, ko je vrsta dokončala proste vaje, pristopil k slovenskim delegatom ter jim iskreno čestital na izvrstnem izvajanju vrste in še posebej na izborni fizični konstituciji naših ljudi, katere je v tem oziru stavil na prvo mesto.
The Problems with Iron Rings
In 1909, the gymnastics world had not standardized the equipment. Some gymnastics communities used iron rings while others used wood ones. Some used triangular rings while others used round ones. Heck, some barely practiced rings, as was the case with the Slovenians.
Among the apparatus, there were a large number of rings, two or three pairs on one stand. Rings are cultivated by Luxembourgers much more than we do.
Med orodjem so bili v velikem številu zastopani krogi, po dva, tri pare na enem stojalu. Kroge goje Luksemburžani mnogo bolj nego mi.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
The Slovenians especially didn’t like the iron rings.
We tried the apparatus in one of the Luxembourg gyms. The high bar was good, we didn’t really like the parallel bars, the rings were iron, which we didn’t particularly like.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
V eni luksemburških telovadnic smo poskusili orodje. Drog je bil dober, bradlja nam ni bila prav všeč, krogi so bili železni, kar nam tudi ni posebno ugajalo.
The Czechs asked to replace the iron rings with wooden ones.
The Czech and Slovenian teams limited themselves to a short test of the apparatus. Iron rings will have to be replaced with wooden ones for these two teams. Brother Vaniček requests it. The high bar is very good, the parallel bars are short, a bit hard for us, accustomed to long, flexible parallel bars.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Češka in slovenska vrsta sta se omejili na kratko poskušnjo orodja. Železne kroge bo treba za ti dve vrsti zamenjati z lesenimi. Izposluje to brat Vaniček. Drog je jako dober, bradlja kratka, nekoliko trda nam, vajenim dolgim, prožnim bradljam.
In other apparatus news: the rigging for the rope climb was challenging.
It is not as easy to reach the extreme as it would seem at first glance. No teams scored all the achievement points (90). The rope was attached to a very flexible stand, which gave way with each pull, thus tiring the climber.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Ni tako lahko doseči skrajne mere, kakor bi se zdelo na prvi hip. Nobena vrsta ni dosegla vseh dosežnih točk (90). Vrv je bila pritrjena na jako prožnem stojalu, ki se je pri vsakem potegu vdajalo in s tem utrujalo plezalca.
For the rules on the rope climb, check out the appendix.
Oh, and there were timing problems, so a few gymnasts had to do the 100 m sprint twice.
The success was also badly affected by the lack of a timekeeping regulation: two of our competitors and two of our Czechs, with whom we had to run at the same time, had to run twice because the first time the measuring regulation did not work.
Slovenski Sokol, 1909, 7-8
Na uspeh je slabo vplivala tudi pomanjkljiva uredba za merjenje časa: dva naša tekmovalca in dva izmed čeških, s katerimi je bilo našim hkratu teči, sta morala dvakrat teči, ker prvikrat merilna uredba ni delovala.
Additional Comments about the Teams
The Italians burst onto the scene with strong optional routines.
Third place was won by an extremely capable Italian team. It also looked uniform. They excelled on the rings, where they beat the French by 5.75 points mainly due to the difficulty of the sets. In return, they had to give way to the French and Czechs on the parallel bars and high bar in compulsory exercises. In the optional exercises, however, they brought new exercises on both pieces of equipment in a beautiful design. — How strong the team was will be judged by the public when the first champion of the Olympic competitions in London — Braglia — was one of the weaker on the team.
Sokol, 1909, 8-9
Třetího místa dobylo neobyčejně zdatné družstvo italské. I ono vypadalo jednolitě. Vynikli na kruzích, kde překonali o 5.75 bodů Francouze hlavně nesnadností sestav. Za to na bradlech a hrazdě v povinných cvicích musili ustoupiti Francouzům a Čechům. Ve volných cvicích však na obou nářadích přinesli nové cviky v krásném provedení. — Jak asi silné bylo to družstvo, posoudí veřejnost, když prvý přeborník z olympických závodů v Londýně — Braglia — byl v tom družstvu jedním ze slabších.
Note: Braglia won gold in the all-around at the 1908 Olympics.
Czech Gymnasts Were Tremendous in Optionals
The runners-up were the Czechs. They were characterized by strong figures with strong legs. Even their ability was immediately clear to the audience. They excelled in the ensemble exercises, where they overcame the French themselves by 1.25 points, then on rings, high bar, running, and climbing. — The optional routines on the high bar of Erben and Czady brought the French team out in raptures.
Sokol, 1909, 8-9
Druhými byli Češi. Vyznačovali se silnými postavami o silných nohou. I jejich zdatnost byla obecenstvu rázem zievna. Vynikli ve prostných, kde překonali samotné Francouze o 1.25 bodu, pak na kruzích, hrazdě, běhu a šplhu. — Volné sestavy na hrazdě bří Erbena a Czady uvedly francouzské družstvo v nadšení.
Appendix: Scoring the Athletics Events
Long jump.
1. Three tapes on stands at the height of 1.10 m, 1 m and 0.80 m, well-positioned above the ground.
2. Board 0.90 m long, 0.10 m high, with its front edge 2 m away from the tapes.
3. The jump was successful when the competitor did not touch the top-most tape and did not fall back during the landing phase. Falling, the first one must not touch the ground with his hands only.
4. The competitor may only try to correct once. In case of failure, the second performance is counted. The jump attempt is considered valid when the competitor has left the board.
5. The jump takes place from a start of no more than 12 m, only jumping forward with one leg.
The jumps are classified as follows:
height 1.10 m., length 2 m. = 15 points
height 1.00 m, length 2 m = 10 points
height 0.80 m., length 2 m. = 5 pointsIf the competitor touches the bottom mark, he is classified with 0.
Rope Climb
(climb not more than 10 m., rope diameter 35 mm.).
The climber’s legs are stretched and tight. It is not allowed to help oneself by sticking or throwing the feet up. The way one wants to climb is left to the competitor’s will, but it is not allowed to slide down the rope. The skin of the palms must remain intact so that the competitor can climb up again, which the judges have to forbid the competitor who has burned his hands and palms.
The rope is 7 m high, always at a distance of 50 cm, with alternating color marks provided. The first mark is at 2 m, the last 7 m from the ground. Reaching this mark, which the competitor must grasp with both hands, one has climbed 5 m. He climbs to the lowest mark without touching the ground and starts climbing again.
Scores:
2.00 m = 1 point
3.50 m = 2 points
5.00 m = 3 points
6.00 m = 4 points
6.50 m = 5 points
7.00 m = 6 points
7.50 m = 7 points
8.00 m = 8 points
8.50 m = 9 points
9.00 m = 11 points
9.50 m = 13 points
10.00 m = 15 points100 m sprint
The track is straight, 100 m long, 6 m wide, divided by tape into two parts 3 m wide.
The start and finish are marked visibly with either masts, poles, or demarcation lines. To leave either 10 m of free space at the finish area where the finish of the run could be completed.
A maximum of two competitors run at the same time.
Each run begins with an order given by one judge, placed at the start in a place elevated by a red and white flag, quickly raised. The signal must also be visible at the finish line. Judges who measure running time are located here.
The finish time is determined by either a chronometer or an electric device.
Scores:
11 seconds = 15 points
12 seconds = 13 points
13 seconds = 9 points
14 seconds = 6 points
15 seconds = 3 points
16 seconds = 1 point⅗ or ⅘ seconds = 1 point
Sokol, 1909, Number 3
Skok dalekovysoký.
1. Tři pásky na stojanech ve výšce 1.10 m., 1 m. a 0.80 m. od země nad sebou upevněné.
2. Můstek 0.90 m. dlouhý, 0.10 m. vysoký, přední hranou svou 2 m. od pásek vzdálený.
3. Skok se zdařil. když závodník nedotekl se pásky nejhořejší a při doskoku neupadl nazad. Padaje napřed nesmí se dotknouti půdy leč rukama.
4. Závodník může jen jednou o opravu se pokusiti. Při nezdaru, klassifikuje se druhé provedení. Pokus skoku platí za provedený, když závodník opustil můstek.
5. Skok děje se z rozběhu nejvýše 12 m. dlouhého libovolným odrazem jednonož.
Skoky klassifikují se následovně:
výška 1.10 m., délka 2 m. = 15 bodů
výška 1.00 m, délka 2 m = 10 bodů
výška 0.80 m., délka 2 m. = 5 bodů
Dotkne-li se závodník dolenní pásky klassifikuje se 0.
Šplh na laně
(šplhá se nejvýše 10 m., průměr lana 35 mm.).
Šplhaje má závodník nohy napjaté a spojené. Není dovoleno trčením neb házením nohou si pomáhati. Způsob, jakým sešplhati chce, ponechán libovůli závodníka, není však dovoleno sjížděti po laně. Kůže dlaní musí zůstati neporušenou, aby závodník mohl znovu nahoru špihati, což soudcové mají zakázati závodníku, který si ruce spálil.
Lano jest 7 m. vysoké ve vzdálenostech vždy o 50 cm. značkami střídavé barvy opatřené. První značka jest ve výši 2 m., poslední 7 m. od země. Dospěv k této značce, kterou závodník oběma rukama uchopiti musí, vyšplhal 5 m. Odtud sešplhá až do visu na nejnižší značce, aniž by se dotekl půdy a počne znovu šplhati.
Známkování:
2.00 m = 1 bod
3.50 m = 2 body
5.00 m = 3 body
6.00 m = 4 body
6.50 m = 5 body
7.00 m = 6 body
7.50 m = 7 bodů
8.00 m = 8 bodů
8.50 m = 9 bodů
9.00 m = 11 bodů
9.50 m = 13 bodů
10.00 m = 15 bodů
Běh na 100 m.
Dráha jest přímá, 100 m dlouhá, 6 m. široká, rozdělená po šířce páskou na dva díly 3 m. široké.
Start i cíl jsou označeny viditelným způsobem buď stožáry, neb žerděmi neb čarami demarkačními. Za cílem ponecháno buď 10 m. volného místa, kde by běh dokončen býti mohl.
Nejvýše dva závodníci běží najednou.
Každý běh počíná se povelem daným jedním soudcem, umístněným u startu na místě povýšeném červeno-bílým praporečkem rychle skloněným. Signál musí býti i u cíle viditelným. Zde umístěni jsou soudcové, kteří měří čas běhu.
Zjištění času děje se buď chronometrem neb přístrojem elektrickým.
Známkování:
11 vteřin = 15 bodů
12 vteřin = 13bodů
13 vteřin = 9 bodů
14 vteřin = 6 bodů
15 vteřin = 3 body
16 vteřin = 1 bod
⅗ neb ⅘ vteřiny = 1 bod